Busy Busy Busy

Hello!  I hope everyone here in the US had a nice Memorial Weekend.  I've been really busy for the last couple of weeks, so here is what I've been up to.

I finished 2 more Alice Payne blocks:

Here they are all together so far

Made 2 blocks for a Girl Scout who is working on her Golden Project Award.   Here is her FB Page for her project.  She is trying to get blocks from every state in the US.

I really want to make this whole quilt using Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy trip around the world blocks. so fun!

At our guild meeting we played bingo with cards that we made ourselves.  I didn't win but it was a really fun activity!

After moving Hanna's housing in Ohio (yes, moved again) we got to stop at Ohio's Largest Antique shop - hooray!  I'll share the couple of things I bought soon.

I got my deck pots planted.  Here are a few.

We had all the kids in one place for Sig's birthday.

The boys got the newly painted boat rigged and moved to the beach slip.

On a sadder note....my poor sweet coco had a cancerous tumor on her leg and needed surgery :(       Oh no - it's the cone of shame.

She's doing pretty well and gets the stitches out on Thursday.  Yesterday she had a Memorial Day treat - Dairy Queen - her favorite!  I'm hoping and praying this is an isolated occurrence.

Whew - sorry, that was a lot to have to get through.  Hope you have a great week.

Ladies Who Lunch

I haven't shown my stars from the Timewarp sew along in a while.  Here are the first 16.  Mine are 4" finished.

Early Summer has arrived!  And so has the pretty goldfinch.

Once year, I have a little luncheon here in the country and it happened last Thursday.

Here is my table.  Coco is giving it a real good inspection.  I used my grandmothers china and Rich's grandmothers silverware.

I made simple flower arrangements from blooms found around my yard.

First Course:  Carrot and Orange Soup

Carrot and Orange Soup
4 Tbs. sweet butter
2 Cups finely chopped yellow onions
12 large carrots, peeled and chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup fresh orange juice (use only fresh squeezed!)

Melt butter in a large pot.  Add the onions and cook over low heat covered until tender and lightly colored about 25 minutes.
Add carrots and broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat cover and simmer until carrots are very tender about 30 minutes.
Transfer carrots and 1 cup of broth and puree in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Work in batches if necessary.
Add fresh orange juice and more broth to desired consistency.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Main Event:  Susan Salad

This is a salad that I used to get in New Jersey from a little bistro that closed years ago.  The Cupcake group deconstructed it and made it many times.

This is one of those recipes where you just add the amount of the ingredients that look good to you or suit your taste. 

Susan Salad 
Romain lettuce, torn
Spring mixed greens
Grilled boneless chicken, sliced 
Red grapes, sliced in half
Green grapes, sliced in half
Craisins
Slivered almonds, toasted
Large walnut Pieces, toasted 
Gorgonzola cheese.  I get a wedge and cut it into cubes
Balsamic Vinaigrette - I add some balsamic to this dressing that you find in the produce section.

Toss all with dressing and enjoy!

I made a simple Lemon Layer Cake.  I used a lemon cake box mix and added lemon juice from 1/2 of a lemon and some zest using a micro-planer.  My favorite part of a cake is a good buttercream frosting.  I use this recipe:

Buttercream Frosting
1 stick butter - at room temperature
3 3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place butter in a large mixing bowl.  Blend on low until fluffy about 30 seconds.
Add the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.   Blend on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, about 1 minute.  Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy about 1 more minute.  Blend in a little more milk if necessary.

 ****for the lemon cake I omitted the vanilla and added the juice of 1/2 lemon and some zest, using the micro-planer.***

Coco was Exhausted from all the fun.

I love these 3 spring-summer recipes and I hope you will too!

Carrot and Orange Soup

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons sweet butter
• 2 cups finely chopped yellow onions
• 12 large (1 1/2 - 2 lbs) carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 cups chicken stock/broth
• 1 cup fresh orange juice

Cooking Directions

1. Melt the butter in a pot. Add the onions, cover and cook over low heat until tender and lightly colored. about 25 minutes.
2. Add carrots and broth and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Either puree soup in batches with a blender or food processor or use an immersion blender right in the pot. Blend until smooth.
5. Add orange juice and extra broth for desired consistency.
6. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chives.

Other Fall Fest Carrot Recipes: - See more at: http://www.virtuallyhomemade.com/2012/11/silver-palate-carrot-orange-soup.html#sthash.Vd0lTN3X.dpuf

Carrot and Orange Soup

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons sweet butter
• 2 cups finely chopped yellow onions
• 12 large (1 1/2 - 2 lbs) carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 cups chicken stock/broth
• 1 cup fresh orange juice

Cooking Directions

1. Melt the butter in a pot. Add the onions, cover and cook over low heat until tender and lightly colored. about 25 minutes.
2. Add carrots and broth and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Either puree soup in batches with a blender or food processor or use an immersion blender right in the pot. Blend until smooth.
5. Add orange juice and extra broth for desired consistency.
6. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chives.

Other Fall Fest Carrot Recipes: - See more at: http://www.virtuallyhomemade.com/2012/11/silver-palate-carrot-orange-soup.html#sthash.Vd0lTN3X

Northern Star Shines Again! 2015

Thank you to those who entered my pop-up sneaky book giveaway - Mr. Fun picked #9, which is Jan of Be*mused.   Send me your address, Jan, and I'll mail it right away.

On Sunday I attended one of my favorite quilt shows:  World of Quilts XXXVI by the Northern Star Quilt Guild.

Here is the Brownstone Quilters Quilt Show 2015 Raffle Quilt.  It won Best in Show- Large Quilt!  Many, many people worked on this quilt.  Pictured are my buddies Pauline and Nancy who helped coordinate the project.   I pieced finished blocks and appliquéd an outside border.   See show information here.

and my other favorites - enjoy

I loved this quilt and was gushing about it when the maker happened along.  She did free motion quilting with a 1974 Kenmore - good for you Mary!

What a wonderful version of the Civil War Bride Quilt.

The show offered a special exhibit of Paula Nadelstern's quilts and we also enjoyed a lecture on color by Becky Goldsmith.  Great job Ladies!

Speaking of "Winning"  we did!  We won two bets on the Derby!   We went in with a work friend and she did the picking.  Super lucky us!  We share the winnings of $836.

Hope you have a great week~